Liverpool v Atalanta could be the perfect game for Billy Koumetio to debut. The 18-year-old looks like a very bright prospect at the back.
Could Billy Koumetio face Atalanta? There may be no better time to hand the player his senior debut.
The current injury crisis necessitates that Liverpool look towards the academy, particularly in defence. We’ve already seen both Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips start, for example.
But there’s more at play here. Liverpool play Atalanta on Wednesday evening and then have the early Saturday kick-off against Brighton.
That’s a remarkably short time between games – terrible scheduling, in our opinion. It also means three games in six days for a team already depleted by injuries.
Fabinho and Matip, for instance, have both missed many games with injuries this year. But they’re also the only senior options at centre-half – and Fabinho is barely that, given he’s naturally a midfielder.
Resting them against Atalanta makes sense, then. It’s a game Liverpool should win and they’re already comfortable at the top of the group.
It would make the most sense to start both Phillips and Williams, if Klopp does want to rest the stars. But Koumetio should absolutely be on the bench.
Big talent
He’s an 18-year-old with plenty of hype. Klopp called him a ‘big talent’ recently, while Pep Lijnders thinks he’s a ‘top talent’.
The Liverpool boss also picked him out as a standout in senior training last week.
A place on the bench with a runout against Atalanta would be huge for Koumetio. He’s a player with a bright future and it benefits Liverpool to see if he can cut it now.
They’ll want to assess every defensive option ahead of the January transfer window, after all, and Koumetio is one of those.
A performance on Wednesday would then open the door for more in December, especially in the Champions League if Liverpool qualify early.
We really hope it happens – Koumetio looks like a star in waiting.
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